Fault isolating altitude splits

Abstract

A method of isolating a source of an altitude split in a plurality of altitude sensors includes receiving a static pressure reading from a first altitude sensor and receiving a static pressure reading from a second altitude sensor. The method also includes comparing each of the static pressure readings with an expected static pressure value to determine which of the altitude sensors is the source of a split in altitude readings of the altitude sensors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of fault isolating an altitude split in a plurality of altitude sensors comprising:
 receiving a static pressure reading from a first altitude sensor; 
 receiving a static pressure reading from a second altitude sensor; 
 comparing each of the static pressure readings with an expected static pressure value to determine which of the altitude sensors is the source of a split in altitude readings of the altitude sensors; 
 providing output indicative of which altitude sensor is the source of the split; and 
 inspecting only the altitude sensor that is the source of the split in altitude readings. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 deriving the expected static pressure value from at least one static pressure sensor separate from the altitude sensors. 
 
     
     
       3. A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 calculating an average static pressure reading from the first altitude sensor, the second altitude sensor, and the at least one additional static pressure sensor; and 
 using the average static pressure as the expected static pressure value for comparison with the static pressure readings of each of the first and second altitude sensors. 
 
     
     
       4. A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein determining which of the altitude sensors is the source of the split in altitude readings includes identifying as the source of the split in altitude readings the altitude sensor with a static pressure reading farthest from the average static pressure reading. 
     
     
       5. A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing output indicative of which altitude sensor is the source of the split in altitude readings. 
 
     
     
       6. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein receiving static pressure readings from the first and second altitude sensors includes receiving static pressure readings from the first and second altitude sensors wherein the first and second altitude sensors are on opposite sides of an aircraft from one another. 
     
     
       7. A system comprising:
 a processor operatively connected to a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to: 
 receive a respective static pressure reading from each of a pair of altitude sensors for which a split in altitude readings has occurred; 
 compare the respective static pressure readings of the altitude sensors with an expected static pressure value for each of the altitude sensors respectively to determine which of the altitude sensors is the source of the split in altitude readings and provide output indicative of which altitude sensor is the source of the split for inspecting only the altitude sensor that is the source of the split in altitude readings. 
 
     
     
       8. A system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to:
 derive the expected static pressure value from at least one static pressure sensor separate from the altitude sensors. 
 
     
     
       9. A system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to:
 calculate an average static pressure reading from the first altitude sensor, the second altitude sensor, and the at least one additional static pressure sensor; and 
 use the average static pressure as the expected static pressure value for comparison with the static pressure readings of each of the first and second altitude sensors, wherein determining which of the altitude sensors is the source of the split in altitude readings includes identifying as the source of the split in altitude readings the altitude sensor with a static pressure reading farthest from the average static pressure reading. 
 
     
     
       10. A system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to:
 provide output indicative of which altitude sensor is the source of the split in altitude readings. 
 
     
     
       11. A system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein receiving static pressure readings from the first and second altitude sensors includes receiving static pressure readings from the first and second altitude sensors wherein the first and second altitude sensors are on opposite sides of an aircraft from one another.